The Center for Immigration Studies estimates that the cost to the federal government for illegal immigration is $10 billion per year and will increase to $29 billion if amnesty is granted. The annual cost for Kansas taxpayers is currently estimated at $235 million per year, according to the Federation for American Immigration Reform. That is nearly $1 billion paid directly by the Kansas taxpayers in the last four years!

Considering the high cost to the taxpayers of Kansas and the significant debate going on within our country concerning illegal immigration, you would think that the politicians in Topeka (led by the Governor) would be aggressively seeking to reduce the flow of illegal immigrants into our state.

Amazingly, they have taken the opposite approach. The legislature, with the approval of the Governor, has decided to give more incentives for illegal immigrants to come to our state by giving them in-state tuition. That's right, come to our state illegally, and we will reward you by reducing the cost of your college tuition (not to mention the fact you are allowed to attend at all).

During the rhetoric filled "debate" held at the State Fair between Governor Sebelius and Senator Burnett, the Governor made two comments that may give hope to other gubernatorial candidates left out of the debate.

The Governor stated that she was disappointed in voter turnout because "politics is not a spectator sport" and suggested that people need to get involved. Additionally, she stated that she supports the men and women who serve this country in the military.

Richard Ranzau, the Reform Party candidate for governor and veteran of the Persian Gulf and Iraq Wars, spoke with the Governor after the debate.

Buoyed by the Governor's comments, Richard asked her what actions she was willing to take to ensure that he, a veteran of two wars, would be allowed to participate in future debates, and thus fully participate in the election process.

The Governor feebly responded by saying that it was not up to her to decide who would be allowed in the debates. When Richard reminded her that she was the Governor and suggested that she demonstrate some leadership in this area, she quickly avoided the question and sought refuge amongst her supporters.

So much for supporting veterans and encouraging participation in politics.

"On July 29, 2005, President Bush signed a bill which permits and promotes the charging of tolls on existing and planned interstate highways, bridges, and tunnels. Before the passage of the bill, known as SAFETEA-LU, or “Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users”, it was generally illegal to charge tolls on roads built with Federal funds. What’s more, the tolls collected will be automatic, requiring universally compatible toll transponder tags on every vehicle.

SAFETEA-LU makes possible a variety of programs, all aimed at forcing Americans to pay to travel." - Bob Dacy

These are some facets of the question of school funding in Kansas. Please contribute ideas to shape these up.

1) Policies regarding how to encourage students to participate joyfully and effectively in their education, including limits to prevent "burn-out", would be developed by experienced teachers, parents, and students.

These policies should be as locally determined as possible.

2) The "public" support of a school should be voluntary - i.e.: not "public" at all, as commonly used today.

3) The state, by arrogating to itself the role of financial support and administration of schools and the taxation of the public (for the support, the administrative costs, and the tax collecting costs), is indicting the citizens of willful neglect.

4) The state judiciary, by arrogating to itself the decision that belongs to the elected representatives in Kansas (since it really belongs to the people who are represented by these officials), has made a mockery of the republican form of government that Kansas claims to have.

Richard Ranzau is a physician assistant in an orthopedic surgery practice in Wichita. He has three bachelor degrees from Wichita State University, and his wife Rachelle graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in occupational therapy. They have been married for 10 years and have three young children.

"We must begin a true grass-roots effort to return the people to the government and the government to the people. The citizens of Kansas deserve a Governor with a vision to improve the lives of average Kansans, and the leadership abilities to secure that vision."